MP Rejects Government’s Power Plant Decision
4th September 2009
Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis has expressed his disappointment with the Government’s decision to reject Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council’s request to revisit the planning permission regarding the proposed biomass power plant at Port Talbot Docks.
Dr Francis said,
“I am extremely disappointed in the Government’s decision because I fully supported Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council’s request to revisit the planning permission. I did so because I felt that there were some outstanding health and noise issues which needed to be considered.”
“I had written to the Minister supporting the Council. I will examine the Minister’s statement very closely and will write to him again on the matter.”
Dr Francis added,
“I had a brief discussion with the Minister before the Summer Recess and indicated to him the wide-spread concerns in the Aberavon Constituency regarding the environmental issues. I asked him to visit the Constituency and he agreed in principle to do so. That invitation still stands.”
Dr Francis concluded,
“I agree with all those who have raised health and safety issues relating to this application: the matter will not go away and we should use every opportunity to continue to make representations to all appropriate bodies to ensure that local environmental standards are not only protected but radically improved.”
